Washington Facilities: What you need to know

Workplace facilities are regulated principally by federal requirements (standards) established under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act). The OSH Act governs much of the design, operation, and maintenance of workplace facilities, as these factors affect the safety and health of workers.

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Washington has its own federally approved, state-enforced occupational safety and health plan in effect, the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA). This makes Washington a so-called “state plan” state, where WISHA standards govern safety and health at all state workplace facilities.

WISHA is enforced by the Washington Department of Labor & Industries' Division of Occupational Health and Safety (DOSH). For more information, go to http://www.lni.wa.govor call 800-423-7233.

In most important respects, WISHA has adopted the standards of the OSH Act, although it has adopted some of its own workplace regulations as well (WA Rev. Code Sec. 49.17.010et seq.).